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Manage Membership
Which of the world’s many enticing holiday spots are having a moment? American Express Travel’s annual Trending Destinations list highlights the latest must-visit places, selected based on global American Express® Card Member travel bookings and expertise from Amex Travel’s global network of Travel Consultants, particularly with Millennial and Gen Z1 travellers in mind.
This year’s list features fresh destinations and a selection of hotels recently added to The Hotel Collection*, which has grown by 40% since 2023 to include more than 300 new properties and an additional 50 destinations. When eligible Card Members book two or more nights at these hotels through Amex Travel™, they are eligible to receive a room upgrade upon arrival, noon check-in, and late check-out, which are all subject to availability2. These benefits are in addition to a complimentary credit valued at US$100 to use towards eligible charges, which may include food and beverage, spa, or other on-property charges3.
The capital of Queensland is starting to compete with Sydney and Melbourne on the cultural front, with modern architecture, excellent museums, vibrant dining and nightlife options. Check out the creative and culinary spectacular Night Feast, as well as the Melt Festival, a city-wide festival celebrating queer arts and culture.
Brisbane is centred between the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, and the recent expansion of the riverside Queen’s Wharf area downtown offers new restaurants and public spaces to explore. Fortitude Valley, a hip inner suburb that’s home to chic bars and quirky boutiques, is also worth a visit.
Getting There: Fly into Brisbane Airport (BNE).
Distinctive culture and coastal scenery top the list of reasons to visit Brittany, where Breton signage and traditional fest noz gatherings attest to the region’s fiercely preserved Celtic heritage.
Summer offers the best weather, but September and late spring are also great times to visit. White-sand beaches give way to pink-granite cliffs across miles of seaside footpaths, like the GR34 trail. Visit the resort town of Dinard and the medieval walled city of Saint-Malo, or the larger inland cities of Rennes, boasting award-winning restaurants, and Quimper, famous for hand-painted ceramics.
Getting there: Fly into Aéroport Brest Bretagne (BES).
This mountain-ringed gem in the Cape Winelands region is an epicurean’s delight—and the perfect add-on to a safari vacation. Many of the nearly 50 wineries, including Black-owned Klein Goederust, offer tours and tastings of the region’s signature Pinotage and Chenin Blanc varietals and more.
On the culinary front, this centuries-old settlement has made great advances in recent years with the arrival of sophisticated farm-to-table restaurants. Take a hike in the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve to whet your appetite for that evening’s tasting menu.
Getting there: Fly into Cape Town International Airport (CPT).
88-square-mile Koh Samui offers a dreamy combo of lush jungle, white-sand beaches, and turquoise waters. While popular for its upscale tropical-paradise vibes, the island is about to become a major set-jetting destination, too.
If you want a dance party, explore the thumping clubs of Chaweng Beach. But plenty of visitors come for the peace and quiet that accompany wellness activities like yoga and Thai massages. Active travellers can enjoy waterfall hikes and water sports, while the shallow reefs and sandy bottoms of nearby Koh Tao are perfect for scuba diving.
Getting there: Fly into Samui International Airport (USM).
Though The Historic Centre of Macau enjoys UNESCO World Heritage status and the local Cantonese-Portuguese fusion cuisine is a must-try for foodies, the supersized casinos are the reason this densely populated peninsula, known as the “Las Vegas of the East,” boasts a number of award-winning restaurants.
Photo courtesy of Chiado, Copyright Billy Yiu
Whether flying in or taking the 90-minute car-and-ferry ride from Hong Kong, visitors can look forward to exploring amusement parks, public spaces, and big-ticket concerts.
Getting there: Fly into Hong Kong and take a ferry to Macau.
As the gateway to Utah’s “Mighty Five” national parks, Moab is the perfect starting point to explore the American Southwest.
Travellers come for world-class rafting, mountain biking, and canyon hiking or simply to bask in the red-rock scenery. (Intense summer heat makes spring or fall the best time to visit.) Check out Moab’s 14-vendor Food Truck Park and family-friendly dinosaur museum. The desert sunsets are legendary, and while this is not a party hub, don’t hit the hay too early, either: the stargazing is among the best in North America.
Getting there: Fly into Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT).
This tucked-away mountain retreat in mostly rural Tochigi prefecture blends elements of Kyoto and Mt. Fuji, and recent train-service improvements have reduced the journey from Tokyo to two hours–another reason to visit Nikko.
Start in Nikko National Park, which sits in the shadow of three sacred peaks and contains a 103-building temple complex. Photogenic waterfalls and abundant hiking trails make Nikko a nature-lover’s dream, especially amid the exploding colors of fall.
Getting there: Fly into Haneda Airport (HND).
Laid-back Paros has become the Greek island of choice for many. The cultural scene is vibrant here, and the rocky coastline is studded with beaches, secluded coves, and sea caves. A mere 40-minute flight from Athens—or three hours on a ferry—this windblown retreat is also easy to get to.
Travellers can also hike the thousand-year-old Byzantine Road, which is paved with the island’s famous marble. Sample some of the Aegean’s best seafood in the chic harbour town of Naoussa, where fishing boats bob within view of stylish boutiques and bustling tavernas
Getting there: Fly into Athens International Airport (ATH).
This multi-ethnic megalopolis is one of the great cultural destinations of South America and home to rich architectural heritage and some of the continent’s best museums, street art, and homegrown fashion–not to mention one of the world’s largest Pride parades.
Orient your visit around Avenida Paulista, a bustling avenue, which is closed to traffic and goes carnivalesque on Sundays. From hip Vila Madalena to glamorous Itaim Bibi, there’s a neighbourhood for every mood here, and 400-acre Ibirapuera park for when you need a break from the concrete jungle. Travellers to São Paulo can also experience Formula 1® Lenovo Grande Prêmio De São Paulo in November.
Getting there: Fly into São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU).
With fewer crowds than other Western ski resorts, Sun Valley appeals to celebs and everyday outdoor enthusiasts alike.
At 9,150-foot Bald Mountain, a recent expansion added state-of-the-art chairlifts, 91 additional acres of glade terrain, and new wildfire-prevention measures. Summer allows for trout fishing, whitewater rafting, and mountain biking. Hiking Sawtooth National Forest trails is just as good in September and October, which bring leaf-peeping and festivals. In Sun Valley Village and its neighbour, Ketchum—that’s home to more than 20 art galleries—90% of businesses are locally-owned.
Getting there: Fly into Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN).
A one-category room upgrade at check-in, when available2
A credit valued at US$100 to use towards eligible charges, such as food and beverage, spa, or other on-property charges.
Noon check-in, when available
Late check-out, when available
Start your vacation sooner with 12pm check-in, when available.
A one-category room upgrade at check-in, when available2
Wake up to daily breakfast for two, on the house.
A credit valued at US$100 to use towards eligible charges, such as food and beverage, spa, or other on-property charges.
Stay connected during your stay with complimentary Wi-Fi.
Keep your vacation going with guaranteed 4pm check-out.
*Terms and Conditions
Must be 18 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.
Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR): Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Platinum Charge Card Members and Centurion® Members. Platinum Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Platinum Charge Card Members or Centurion® Members, are not eligible for FHR program benefits. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain US$100 credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amount will be applied at check-out. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members travelling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, please call the number on the back of your Card.
The Hotel Collection (THC): The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more, with participating properties, made through Platinum Travel Service, Centurion Travel Service or American Express Travel Online. Bookings are valid only for eligible Card Members of the following American Express Cards: American Express® Rewards Advantage Card, American Express® Explorer Credit Card, American Express® Platinum Reserve Credit Card, American Express® Gold Card, American Express® Gold Business Card, American Express® Business Gold Plus Card, American Express® Platinum Card, American Express® Platinum Business Card and American Express® Centurion Card. Excludes Gold Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Rewards Advantage, Gold or Platinum Charge Card Members. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
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